Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki (Print Version)

Marinated chicken with tangy feta tzatziki, crisp vegetables, and warm pita for a fresh Mediterranean wrap.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
06 - 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
08 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Creamy Feta Tzatziki

12 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
13 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
14 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, grated, and excess water squeezed out
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Serving and Assembly

20 - 4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads
21 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
22 - 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
23 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced
24 - ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
25 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves for garnish
26 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne if using, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat all pieces, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for enhanced flavor development.
03 - While chicken marinates, place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove excess moisture, ensuring the tzatziki will be thick and creamy.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir until smooth and creamy, season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and refrigerate.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a light drizzle of olive oil if the pan is not nonstick.
06 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through with lightly charred edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
08 - While chicken rests, warm pita breads in a dry skillet or wrapped in aluminum foil in a preheated 325°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes.
09 - Lay each warmed pita on a serving plate, spread a generous spoonful of tzatziki in the center, and layer with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of vegetables, drizzle with additional tzatziki sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The feta in the tzatziki makes it richer and tangier than any version youve tried from a restaurant.
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy even when you char them hard, and they soak up every bit of that lemony marinade.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so dinner comes together in fifteen minutes of actual cooking.
  • Its messy, hands-on eating that somehow feels both indulgent and light at the same time.
02 -
  • If you dont squeeze the cucumber dry, your tzatziki will separate and turn runny within an hour.
  • Marinating the chicken for at least two hours makes a huge difference, the garlic and lemon really penetrate the meat.
  • Resting the chicken after cooking keeps it juicy, cutting it too soon and all those flavorful juices run out onto the board.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet or grill pan to get the best char on the chicken, the high heat and heavy surface create those dark, flavorful edges.
  • If your tzatziki tastes flat, add a pinch more salt and another squeeze of lemon, it should be bold and tangy.
  • Marinate the chicken in a resealable bag instead of a bowl, it uses less marinade and coats the chicken more evenly.
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